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Tag: IGP

  • We’ve identified culprits in Rivers’ killings, says IGP

    Police chief Suleiman Abba has said some suspects in the killings in Rivers State have been identified.

    But the Inspector-General did not name the culprits.

    The IGP said three suspects were arrested in Enugu in connection with the blast that took place during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Suleiman spoke in Abuja yesterday during a meeting with Commissioners of Police as part of preparations for the elections.

    He said more men would be deployed in Rivers and others during the elections.

    On the unrest in Rivers, Abba said: “Let me confirm to you that arrests have been made and there are also suspects identified with the incidents in Rivers, including those that were committed as far back as during the period of campaigns.

    “We have identified culprits or those suspected to have been involved or being the master mind of these offences. We have not made it public because we are using all other avenues. Our intelligence and operatives are out there to arrest them. Where we don’t get them immediately, perhaps, after a little while, we will exploit other avenues, including declaring them wanted.”

    On the deployment of more personnel, the IGP said: “The purpose of our meeting includes strengthening our deployment to Rivers and other states where we feel we really need to strengthen the deployments to prevent lawlessness. It is not only in Rivers; there are also two or three other states that we will strengthen our deployment from senior officers down to other officers so that we take charge and make sure those incidents are not recorded anymore.”

    Suleiman spoke also on the bombing during the presidential election in Enugu. He said: “We have arrested three suspects in connection with the case and our investigation has gone to a very advanced stage and we were able to identify the factory where those Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were manufactured and I think that alone is a big success and investigation is ongoing.”

    He praised policemen for what he described as their display of professionalism, impartiality and non-partisanship during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

    Abba noted that 124 suspects were arrested for various electoral offences, adding that some have been charged to court.

    His words: “So far, we have 124 incidents of electoral offences that we have investigated and quite a number of them have been charged to court already while others will still require INEC’s intervention.”

    On the alleged threat against the Igbo by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the IGP said since the traditional ruler has denied the allegation, he was not in any position to state otherwise.

    The Inspector-General said: “On the issue of Oba of Lagos making statement about who electorate or voters should vote for in this election, I saw it in the media and I tried all my best to verify whether that statement was made and so far, what I have been able to gather is the fact that the Oba himself denied it.

    “And if he denied it, who am I to say otherwise? However, if for any reason that it becomes a subject of further efforts to confirm if he did it or not, I think we will leave that to the future but for now, this is what I have.”

    Northerners in Rivers yesterday criticised the continued killing of leaders and supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, describing those perpetrating the act as wicked and callous.

     

    The group under the aegis Northern Community Association of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, said the killing of nine APC leaders and supporters in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government few days to the governorship and State House of Assembly elections called for concern.

    The leader of the group, Alhaji Jauro Atiku, spoke during a victory party organised by the leaders of Northern community to celebrate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

    Atiku urged his members to maintain peace and vote for the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside and all APC candidates for State House of Assembly elections on Saturday.

  • Election: IGP to redeploy officers to Rivers, and other states

    Election: IGP to redeploy officers to Rivers, and other states

    In a bid to forestall electoral incidences in the forthcoming gubernatorial and state assembly election, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba has said he will deploy more officers to Rivers State and other volatile states.

    Also, the IGP said that three suspects have been arrested in Enugu in connection with the blast that took place during the presidential elections.

    The Police chief disclosed this in Abuja Tuesday during a meeting with State Commissioners of Police as part of preparation for the election.

    On the unrest in Rivers, Abba said: “Let me confirm to you that arrests have been made and there are also suspects identified with incidence in Rivers including those that were committed as far back as during the period of campaigns.

    “We have identified culprits or those suspected to have being involved or being the mastermind of these offences. We have not made it public because we are using all other avenues, our intelligence and operatives are out there to arrest them. Where we don’t get them immediately, perhaps, after a little while, we will exhaust other avenues including declaring them wanted.

    On the deployment of more personnel, the IGP said: “The purpose of our meeting includes strengthening our deployment to Rivers and other states where we feel we really need to strengthen the deployments to prevent lawlessness. It is not only in Rivers, there are also two or three other states that we will strengthen our deployment from senior officers down to other officers so that we take charge and make sure those incidences are not recorded anymore.

    Speaking on the bomb blast incidence that occurred during the presidential election in Enugu, the IGP explained: “We have arrested three suspects in connection to the case and our investigation has gone to a very advanced stage and we were able to identify the factory where those Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) were manufactured and I think that alone is a big success and investigation is ongoing.

    While commending men of the Police for the display of professionalism, impartiality, and non-partisanship during the presidential election, Abba noted that 124 suspects were arrested for various electoral offences, adding that some have been charged to court, while investigations continue.

    His word: “So far, we have 124 incidences of electoral offences that we have investigated and quite a number of them have been charged to court already while others will still require INEC’s intervention.

    Reacting to the supposed threat message by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu to Igbos in Lagos, the IGP said since the traditional ruler has denied the allegation, he was not in any position to state otherwise.
    The IGP said: “On the issue of Oba of Lagos making statement about who electorates or voters should vote for in this election, I saw it in the media and I tried all my best to verify whether that statement was made and so far, what I have been able to gather is the fact that the Oba himself denied it.

    “And if he denied it, who I’m I to say otherwise. However, if for any reason that become a subject of further efforts to confirm if he did it or not, I think we will leave that to the future but for now, this is what I have,” he added.

  • Mark mourns late IGP, Yusuf

    Mark mourns late IGP, Yusuf

    Senate President, David Mark Thursday expressed sadness over the demise of a  former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and foremost elder statesman Alhaji Muhammadu Diko Yusuf.

    Mark in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja, condoled with the government and people of Katsina state over the incident.

    He described late Yusuf as an exemplary police officer who promoted professionalism and discipline during his stint as the helmsman in the force.

    Mark said: “Late Yusuf was one police boss who ensured the protection of lives and properties of all citizens without compromise.

    “He was a pan-Nigerian who built bridges of peace and unity. He believed and worked for the indivisibility of one Nigeria where all citizens are treated as equal.”

    On his foray into politics, the President of the Senate noted that late Yusuf was a shining star on the political turf as the then founder and presidential candidate of Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ).

    He noted that late Yusuf was a forthright nationalist who took the entire nation as his constituency pointing out that the the late elder statesman was in the forefront in the struggle for the return of democracy in the present political dispensation.

    He canvassed that late Yusuf should be immortalized for his great services and contributions to the socio-economic and political development of Nigeria.

    He prayed that the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest just as he told the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that late Yusuf left his positive footprint on the sands of time.

  • IGP redeploys 17 DIGs, AIGs, CPs for election

    IGP redeploys 17 DIGs, AIGs, CPs for election

    The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba has redeployed 17 Senior officers of the Force to different parts of the country as a way to ensure a successful election.

    The redeployment affects 6 Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), 5 Assistant Inspector Generals (AIGs) and 6 Commissioners of Police (CPs).

    Consequently, the CPs posted are expected to cover their new Commands only for the period of election.

    This is contained in a statement yesterday by the Force Spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu.

    According to the statement, the DIGs and places they are expected to cover are: “Dan’Azumi Doma, Coordinator South East Zone; DIG Mamman Tsafe, Coordinator South-South Zone; DIG Hashimu Argungu, Coordinator  South West Zone;  DIG Christopher Katso, –  Coordinator North West Zone; DIG Hilary Opara,  – Coordinator North East Zone; and DIG Adeola Adeniji – Coordinator North Central Zone.

    The AIGs affected by the redeployment are: “Kalafite Adeyemi,  – Asst Coordinator  South West Zone;  AIG Bala Magaji Nasarawa – Asst Coordinator North Central Zone; AIG Adisa Bolanta, Asst Coordinator North West Zone; AIG Usman Gwary,  – AIG Federal Operations (FEDOPS) Abuja; and AIG Mark Idakwo, – AIG Zone 9 Umuahia”.

    Also, the CPS and their new Commands are:  “CP Hosea Karma – CP Rivers State Command; CP Adamu Mohammed – CP Anambra State Command; CP Dan Bature – CP Enugu State Command; CP Usman Abdullahi – CP Katsina State Command;  CP Jimoh Ozi-Obeh – CP Benue State Command;  and CP Hyacinth Dagala – CP Department of Operations (DOPs) FHQ Abuja”.

    The IGP urged the officers to exhibit the highest level of personal and professional conduct in the discharge of their duties.

  • IGP Abba’s unconstitutional call

    IGP Abba’s unconstitutional call

    SIR: Millions of Nigerians have been having a good laugh since the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega last Friday punctured the illegal and unconstitutional warning of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba a day before that voters should vote and go home; that the police will to protect our votes.

    On the national television a day after, the INEC chairman came on air to educate and sensitize Nigerians that there is no provision either in the constitution or in the Electoral Act that gives the police the right to tell voters what to do on election day, that they can wait but should conduct themselves peacefully and in orderly manner in policing their votes so that it is counted and announced publicly in their presence. The duty of the police is constitutionally and solely to provide security on election day, just like other days, no more, no less.

    IGP Abba must be a wag to think in his wildest imagination that Nigerians will be intimidated or gullibly surrender the protection of   their sacred votes to the Nigeria police bearing in mind their antecedents, which is not endearing. This same IGP whose organisation cannot recover over 200 girls abducted by criminals for about 340 days now; what a shame! Is this not the same IGP that ordered his men to desecrate the federal legislature through unlawful closure last year and who in solidarity with President Jonathan, illegally withdrew the security aides of the speaker? It is this same IGP that sat in his office while behaving like the Lord of the Manor by assaulting our sensibilities and democracy.

    Honestly, this IGP is a first class example of a lawless officer who has no respect for the constitution and constituted authority, hence one is not surprised that he has good company in AIG Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu of “I will kill 20 civilians for every one policeman killed,” amongst others.

    However, to say that we weren’t expecting this illegal and irresponsible warning from Mr. Suleiman Abba prior to the 2015 general election is to be economical with the truth about the antecedents and character of this police officer and his office. It was in this same country and during elections in the past that Suleiman Abba’s predecessors like Hafiz Ringim, Ogbonnaya Onovo and M.D. Abubakar warned voters not to take their phones to polling units.

    So in effect, Mr. Abba is not saying anything new but only following the tradition of his predecessors with regards to perpetuation of illegality and unconstitutionality. Therefore, like the Nigerian voters dealt with his predecessors in the past by ignoring and daring them, so also will Nigerians do with Mr. Abba’s latest reckless, inciting and offensive warning which should be ignored for what it represents – illegality.

    Come March 28th and April 11th, 2015, Nigerians should go to the polls in a peaceful and orderly manner to vote wisely for a candidate of their choice and wait till the votes are counted and publicly announced in order to engender citizen’s participation and ownership of the process.

    Your vote is your power; use it wisely, so says a popular aphorism.

     

    • Nelson Ekujumi,

    Surulere, Lagos.

  • Again, IG insist on vote and go home

    Again, IG insist on vote and go home

    There seems to be a sharp disagreement between the Police leadership and the management of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the issue of voters waiting behind after casting their votes.

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba for the second time in the last five days insisted that there was no need for the electorates to wait behind after casting their votes.

    Rather, the IG advised as he had done last week that electorates should vote and go home to relax.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega had on the other hand said that result of the polls must be announced to the hearing of all in each of the polling units.

    The duo spoke in Abuja Tuesday during the INEC national stakeholders’ summit on the 2015 general elections, where Jega unveil the Commission’s process and procedures for the elections and also launch INEC official app “myINEC”.

    This will be the second time in the last one week that the IG and INEC will disagree on the issue.

    Jega on his part had stated that; “at the end of sorting and counting of ballot papers, the results are to be announced to the hearing of all.” This obviously contradicts the police boss stand.

    The Inspector General of Police who noted that he was only advising the electorates and the politicians to stay away after they might have conducted their polls,  explained that waiting behind could contravene the electoral Act, especially the one that bothers on loitering.

    Mr. Abba who relied on section 129 of the electoral act which listed sone of the acts which could resulted into electoral offence.

    He however assured the people that the police will be civil in its dealings with the general public.
    He insisted despite the huge uproar that greeted his statement, “I advised, cast your vote and go home and relax.”

    Abba who also reacted to the question raised by the All Progressive Congress (APC) representative, Senator Olorunibe Mamora, Deputy Director General General Muhammed Buhari Campaign Organization that if waiting behind to protect votes constitutes loitering, said there will be time to distinguish protection of votes and loitering.

    He also added that waiting behind under the provision of lawful purpose expires immediately one finishes with the business of casting one’s vote.

    He further explained that the law made provision for those who are to wait to protect the law. He added,   “there are lawful people assigned to protect your vote.”

    While noting that the advice also affect the candidates who are standing for elections, Abba also urged them to exercise high sense of reasoning in educating their followers on peaceful conduct during and after the elections.

    On the deployment of soldiers for the elections, the police Boss noted that the military will be deployed to play the supportive role as stated in the constitution.

    Though he noted that he was yet to see the High Court Judgment on the issue, he however said the military will be deployed to provide the needed cover about 300 miles from the polling units.

    Jega had also used the opportunity to reassured Nigerians and stakeholders that the commission “has done its best to prepare adequately for the 2015 general elections, so as to make them better than the 2011 elections, and so as to ensure that they meet the aspiration of Nigerians for free, fair and credible elections.

    “let me also reassure that INEC and all its field officials are determined to be in partial and non-partisan in the conduct of these elections. We will continue to do everything humanly possible to ensure a level playing field for all parties and candidates. And we call on all stakeholders, especially voters, candidates and their supporters, to contribute positively to ensuring that the elections are fraud-free, peaceful, as well as free, fair and credible.

    “it is also significant to note, that INEC has put plans in place to improve the transparency and credibility of the process of collation of results.”

    He also added that “hard copies of result sheets from polling units would be scanned, converted to PDF format and put in database, which would be made accessible for viewing and downloading via the INEC website. Every voter or stakeholder will, hence be able to confirm the accuracy of results from the PUs, which have been conveyed to the collation centres.

    Explaining the process, Jega noted that three ballot boxes will be used in each polling unit/voting point.

    The box with red cover/lid will be used for presidential election; box with black cover/lid will be used for the senatorial election, while box with green cover/lid will be used for the House of Representatives election.

    INEC boss, who also insisted on the use of the card readers in this Saturday election, said the commission was satisfied 100 per cent on the security and accuracy of the technology, especially as it has proven to be very reliable.

  • Attacks on campaign rallies: APC Senatorial candidate petitions IGP

    Attacks on campaign rallies: APC Senatorial candidate petitions IGP

    The Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti Central Senatorial zone, Gbenga Olofin, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Abba Sulaiman, over weekend attack on his campaign convoy by suspected thugs allegedly working for Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, said in a statement that in Olofin’s petition copied to the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, National Human Rights Commission and State Director of DSS, he alleged that the attack was carried out by suspected thugs working for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who built road blocks to waylay his campaign convoy at Afao-Ekiti, Fayose’s home town, after a rally in Igbemo-Ekiti. They attacked his party members and supporters.

    The APC candidate explained that the policemen on routine security patrol cleared the roadblocks mounted by PDP thugs, but in anger, the governor allegedly ordered the arrest of his personal security aides. He added that they were being detained at the police headquarters for onward transfer to Abuja.

    Those identified as allegedly participating in the attack included one Bashir Musa Ajagbemokeferi, Tosin alias Tosco, Folorunso, Niran, Ropo Akosile, and Dada Fagbolagun, among others.

    He noted that strings of violence allegedly orchestrated by members and thugs of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were also reported in the state at the weekend, as thugs allegedly loyal to Fayose Sunday morning shot sporadically to the air where APC members had gathered at Ajepe area of Omisanjana in the state capital, destroying their vehicles while the musical instruments of a popular musician, Sese Alhaji, who was entertaining APC members there, were destroyed.

    He said that in the morning attack, APC’s candidate for the House of Assembly for Ado Ekiti Constituency Two, Sola Fatoba, had his vehicle damaged by the thugs. He escaped death by th‎e whiskers.

    His campaign vehicles were badly damaged and bullet pellets littered the scene after the dust settled.

    Elsewhere in Aramoko-Ekiti, APC members were attacked, but curiously, it was those who were attacked that were later arrested by the police.

    Attack on Olofin at the weekend followed recent attack by PDP thugs in Igede-Ekiti, his country home, where thugs suddenly emerged to disrupt his rally.

    “Earlier on January 23, 2015 Fayose’s thugs between 2 – 2.30pm disrupted APC ward meetings in Iyin and Igede-Ekiti while they moved from house to house to inflict machete cuts on APC members. The thugs, who were in Mr. Fayose’s convoy, wore masks and shot sporadically in the two towns while destroying billboards and posters.

    “In that incident, I narrowly escaped death in Igede-Ekiti when Fayose personally led thugs that invaded my home. This was reported in newspapers on January 25, 2015,” Olofin explained in the petition.‎

    He added that during this incident, thugs, after unleashing mayhem on his supporters, allegedly went after petty traders and shop owners, looting their wares in an orgy of violence that temporarily shut down the capital of Irepodu/Ifelodun Local Government of the state.

    Olofin also alleged that in a desperate bid to cause crisis in Ekiti State to enable him clamp down on the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Fayose fixed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rallies for Monday through Wednesday, to coincide with APC ‘Walk For Change’ rally by APC vice presidential candidate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, which had earlier been approved to take place by the police.

    This, he explained, was deliberately done to stoke violence and blame APC for it to enable the governor clamp down on the opposition leaders.

    He called on the Inspector General of Police and Commissioner of Police to call the governor to order to allow democracy to flourish.‎

    “I also call on the international community, especially election observers, to beam their searchlight on Fayose and call him to order to avoid violent clash that could mar Saturday elections,” Olofin concluded.

     

     

  • IGP kick against voters waiting to protect ballot

    IGP kick against voters waiting to protect ballot

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba has kicked against the idea of voters waiting to protect ballots in the forthcoming general elections.

    Abba advised that electorates should vote and go back home to relax while they wait for INEC to announce the result of the elections.

    The Inspector General of Police who spoke in Abuja at a briefing organised for accredited observers for the 2015 general elections, warned that it is only INEC that has the power to announce results of elections in the country and anything contrary is a call to chaos.

    According to him; “It is advisable cast your vote, go and cool down.

    “The reason is that if you look at the provision of section 129 of the electoral act, if you remain at the polling centre, there is the likelihood that you will commit an offence.

    “While waiting, one can get involved with another voter which can constitute electoral offence. So the law says if you remain you have to be orderly,” the IGP stressed.

    Abba also advised on the need to exercise patient after casting their votes, saying that the talk by some people to also announce their result is an invitation to chaos.

    “Already, we are getting information, which we hope it is not true. Some people are planning to declare results themselves certainly this is an invitation to chaos. Because the law says that only INEC that can declare election results,” he added.

    He assured that there should be no need for apprehension as the police and other security agencies have concluded arrangements to provide adequate security for electoral materials and personnel: adding that political thugs will not be able to disrupt the elections.

    He said: “We have trained our personnel enough to appreciate the situations.”

    He advised stakeholders to be mindful of their actions so as not to set the nation ablaze, stressing that what the law provided for is that any aggrieved person should approach the law court rather than take the law into their own hands and go against the democratic process.

    He also urged the media to report these issues that will foster the unity of the country.

    The Inspector General of Police also assured the observers and the electorates of their safety during and after the elections.

    He said, “We will provide security for all stakeholders in the forthcoming general elections, enough personnel will be provided for election management teams at all levels right from the polling units to the collation centres.

    “We will also provide security for both materials and lives.

    “The electorate must be secured enough to be bold to go and cast their votes.

    “We will be there to prevent anyone from disrupting the elections. Specific laws are provided to take care of anyone who tries to disrupt this process. That is why apart from those ones we have mapped out; we have also put many on standby. ”

    He also noted that the police has trained and retrain its personnel and also reminded them on the need to be non-partisan and also protect the rights of the electorates.

  • PDP campaign petitions IGP on violence

    The Abia State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) campaign team has petitioned Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba on the alleged shooting of a PDP member, Frank Dickson, by the campaign team of a rival party, in Ikwuano Local Government.

    The group is insisting that the IGP should order an investigation into the alleged shooting, which occurred at a town hall meeting at Umujiocha square in Nno Oboro.

    Addressing reporters in Umuahia, spokesman of the PDP campaign organisation, Kingsley Emereuwa, said they petitioned the IGP because politicians were heating up the polity.

    He described the shooting as a serious incident that needed intervention, saying security operatives should bring the culprits to book.

    The police command urged politicians not to use “hate words”, but abide by the peace accord signed with the command.

    The advice was contained in a statement by police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna, who said Police Commissioner Joshack Habila has asked politicians to stop heating up the polity.

  • Mbu absent in suit seeking his removal

    Mbu absent in suit seeking his removal

    An Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Mbu Joseph Mbu Monday failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Lagos in a suit seeking his removal.

    He was also not represented by any lawyer despite being served with the suit.

    The plaintiff, Mr Tope Alabi, a lawyer, is praying the court to strip Mbu of his rank and declare his office vacant for allegedly abusing his powers.

    The plaintiff’s lawyer Mr Oladare Falana, who stood in for Mr Femi Falana (SAN) said the defendants had been served.

    He said he was surprise that the defendants were not in court or represented by any lawyer.

    “We have served all parties to the case with the processes.

    “We have a motion on notice supported by a 27-paragraph affidavit and a written address.

    “I seek to adopt the written address along with the motion on notice,” Falana said.

    Justice Ibraahim Buba said that there was no doubt that the defendants had been put on notice as he had the proof of service.

    In the substantive suit, numbered FHC/L/CS/149/15, the plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the first defendant (Mbu) “is unfit to be a police officer in Nigeria”.

    It followed Mbu’s alleged threat to kill 20 innocent civilians for any policeman killed during the general elections.

    The plaintiff is praying the court to direct Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba, the Police Service Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN) (who are the second to fourth defendants) to declare Mbu’s office vacant and replace him without further delay.

    Alabi said Mbu, as a senior police officer, swore to uphold to the rule of law and abide by the Constitution, but has allegedly been behaving as if he is above the law.

    The latest of Mbu’s action, the lawyer said, is his directive to policemen under his Zone 2 Command covering Lagos and Ogun State.  “If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them but don’t shoot first,” Mbu was quoted as saying.

    Alabi is praying the court to determine whether Mbu is fit and proper to remain in office considering his controversial utterances and “his public misconduct,” and whether the lives of Nigerians are not in danger as long as Mbu remains in office.

    The plaintiff wants the court to hold that Mbu’s threat as widely reported in the news media is ultra vires (beyond his powers) and therefore in breach of Section 308 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Alabi also wants a declaration that his life and those of other Nigerians are in danger as long as Mbu remains in office, and that their rights cannot be guaranteed unless Mbu is removed.

    The plaintiff prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining Mbu from giving any orders during the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

    The plaintiff is asking for an order stopping Mbu from arresting any governor in light of Section 308 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution. The AIG had told officers to arrest any governor who goes to polling unit with an entourage.

    Alabi said Mbu has no powers under the law to personally kill or direct officers under his control to kill innocent Nigerians in retaliation should any officer be attacked.

    According to him, by Mbu’s utterance, he has chosen to flout the laws he swore to uphold as his statement is “capable of inciting mass killings, violence and anarchy.”

    Alabi recalled that Mbu served in Rivers State and in the Federal Capital Territory where he continued to violate the Constitution by exhibiting “intolerant and unlawful” behavior, to the extent that the IGP had to distance himself from Mbu in the latest instance by restating that the mandate of the police is to “save and protect lives and not to kill.”

    “It is in the interest of justice to declare the first defendant unfit to be and to remain a police officer in Nigeria, considering his public conduct all the time and to declare his position and seat vacant and a replacement made without delay ,” Alabi said in a supporting affidavit to the originating summons.

    Mbu, the newly posted AIG in charge of Zone 2, rose to infamy for his unguarded utterances as well as his recent clashes with politicians, civil society activists, and journalists.

    Last year, the #BringBackOurGirls protesters in Abuja slammed a N200 million damage suit against the Nigeria Police after Mr. Mbu banned their daily sit-ins to demand the release of the kidnapped Chibok girls. The police hierarchy promptly reversed the ban and the suit was dropped.

    Also last year, Mbu detained and arraigned a journalist before a Magistrate for branding him ‘controversial’ during a TV programme. The magistrate struck out the charges.

    Justice Buba adjourned till March 20 for hearing on the plaintiff’s interlocutory injunction.